Slayer Spreading The Hate With Soulfly, In Flames

Their confrontational music is filled with blood-red imagery of aggression

and violence, and their live show is a nonstop carnival ride of animosity.

In other words, Slayer love to hate, which explains why their summer U.S.

outing with Soulfly and Sweden's In Flames is being called the H82K2 Tour

(get it? Hate 2002).

Slayer will continue to tour with original drummer Dave Lombardo, who took

the place of Paul Bostaph after he left in December, claiming a chronic

elbow injury prevented him from playing the band's tumbling, hyperactive

Lombardo Back For Tour") About a month later, Bostaph joined

Systematic.

But Lombardo won't be rejoining the band full-time, Slayer's publicist said.

In January the band began the search for a new skin-basher. It invited

interested musicians to send audition tapes and held live auditions at

locations across the country (see "Slayer Seeking Drummer Who Will Show No Mercy"). But personal issues and

touring commitments caused Slayer to put the quest on hold until after they

return home.

So far only six dates have been announced for the trek, which will begin

when Slayer return from Europe, but more U.S. shows will be scheduled

shortly, the publicist said. The tour opens in New York on August 13 and

will run at least through September. Slayer are touring to support God

Hates Us All, which was released in September.

Soulfly will be touring for their upcoming III, due June 25. The

album's first single is "Seek 'n' Strike," and a video for the track was

shot by Nathan Cox (System of a Down, Disturbed).

In Flames are putting the final touches on their sixth studio album, which

is not yet titled but should be ready for release by September, the band's

publicist said.

Slayer tour dates, according to Def Jam/American Recordings: